Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Why are pelvic floor muscles important?
The pelvic floor muscles are a very essential part of our body that often go unnoticed until dysfunction occurs. These muscles have several important roles in our body including: sexual function, maintaining continence, supporting our pelvic organs and also providing stability to our pelvic joints. If the pelvic floor muscles are not functioning properly, patients may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Overactive Bladder
- Urinary and/or bowel incontinence
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Low back/hip/pelvic/tailbone pain
- Vaginal or rectal pain
- Painful intercourse
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Nerve or scar pain
If you have these conditions, your doctor may recommend Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for treatment.
What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
This type of physical therapy targets specific skeletal muscles, connective tissues, nerves and ligaments of the pelvic floor and surrounding areas. Physical therapy treatment and modalities may include the following:
- Biofeedback
- Bladder and/or bowel retraining
- Manual therapy
- Balloon catheter retraining
- Coordination training
- Strengthening or relaxation exercises
- Instruction on the use of pelvic floor tools
- Electrical Stimulation
Cheryl Curtis, our on-site physical therapist, can determine which treatment methods are most beneficial for each patient’s needs. After speaking with the patient about their symptoms, a musculoskeletal examination is then completed. Patient goals are also discussed, which helps Cheryl create an individualized treatment plan specific to each patient's needs.
